Now that we have entered the Fall season, pumpkins and pumpkin-flavored things are everywhere. Some of you might be like me and want to start embracing Fall now. I say do it! It’s never too early to start putting out or even carving pumpkins.
You might be questioning how long your pumpkin will last if you go ahead and put it out now. Well an uncarved pumpkin can last between 3 to 4 months, while a carved pumpkin only last about 5 to 10 days. However many things need to be considered when choosing and placing your pumpkin to ensure you get the most time out of it.
First, You want to choose a pumpkin with a firm stem and skin. This is an indication that it is good and healthy. It is important to choose one with a stem, because the stem feeds it nutrients keeping it fresher longer. Even when carving the pumpkin you need to leave the stem on.
Temperatures can affect how long your pumpkin will last as well. The ideal temperatures for pumpkins are between 50° and 55° Fahrenheit. Anything too far below or above that can cause your pumpkin to rot early. So when you know conditions will be extremely cold or warm, I would suggest bringing the pumpkin indoors. It is also important to keep your pumpkin out of direct sunlight and directly off the ground.
There is another thing you could also do to your carved pumpkin to help it last longer. Take 1 tsp of bleach and mix it with a gallon on water. Soak your carved pumpkin in the mixture for 8 hours. Afterwards, take it out and let it dry. This could add a few more days to the life of your pumpkin.
If you have awesome pumpkin carving ideas or picture send them to me on Facebook. I would love to see them!
Meteorologist Kelsey Woodard
